Life is make believe, fantasy given form

Lookout #Writephoto

Without a choice, Kael crept through the sheeting rain toward the garden, the baby heavy in his arms. His other sister, Gitta, hid behind the trellis, paralyzed by the terrible stridency of murder. He took a step closer and ducked back, squatted and held his breath, stroking Clover’s cheek to keep her quiet.

A guard in a black cloak stood at the corner of the shed, a loaded crossbow resting in his hands. He squinted in the rain as he scanned the garden, pens, and moor. Gitta didn’t seem aware of the man’s presence, and Kael begged her to stay as if his will alone could bind her limbs and silence her tongue. “Stay there, Gitta. Please, stay there.”

The guard spit and wiped the rain from his forehead with a sleeve before walking toward the pens. Kael tossed a stone into the garden. Gitta spun and he beckoned. As she ran toward him, he retreated into the heath. “We’re going to hide in the old cairn,” he told her. “You lead, quiet as a mouse.”

Gitta nodded, eyes like winter pools, her body soaked and shaking. She set off and Kael followed. They squeezed through the gap into the stone hollow. Kael opened Clover’s blanket and wrapped it around both sisters. They sat near the back, snuggled together, the tight quarters offering shelter from the storm.

“No talking,” Kael whispered when words formed on Gitta’s lips. She nodded and pointed at his shoulder. He gave his bloodied sleeve a peek and shrugged, then placed a finger to his lips.

“Just taking a piss,” the bearded man yelled into the rain. He gestured for Kael to stay before he trudged away. “No sign of them. I’ll stay on the moor and keep an eye out.”

Kael swallowed a sob, motionless, listening. The autumn skies brought premature darkness, the rain falling in rustling gales. Clover slept in his arms and Gitta dozed, emitting small sleep-filled cries that grated his raw nerves. The wind keened, and rain-dampened calls kept him vigilant, the hunters still on the prowl. Sorrow pressed down with the unbearable weight of the old stones.

Ma’am,I have no words to adore the vivid description and the intensity with which you have written this post.I adore your blog to abysmal.Glad I can see your beautiful stories in my wordpress reader now.

What a beautiful and imaginative write for the photo prompt! The characters have such depth in even such a short story, and the suspense also is great. I enjoyed your explanation on how you come up with character names. Just wonderful!

I recommended your work, Diana, today to a published author today who seemed to be struggling with his creativity. I said, “I think just by appreciating her word choice will be enough to spark you into action.”

That’s so sweet of you to say, Sacha. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I have this thing totally figured out. If you ever have any free time, I’d recommend Sorcerer’s Garden. It’s pretty spirited (like you). Have a great week and Happy Writing!

Each of your characters show their own personality, Diana. I love the way you describe and build traits. These form how they may act and react in the next scenes or chapters. One great part of reading you over time, I feel you have to “know” each person in your story before actions are developed. It makes a few writers I used to read; “pale” in comparison!
Kael is so serious and strong, aware of all around him, no sign of his being able to let down his guard yet. . . I’m ready for tomorrow and sun’s early light.

The weight of the world on his shoulders~ I did feel this, Diana.
It rained only one night and afternoon out of 9 up at my Mom’s apt building. We were able to get out three times together and once she declined I went with brother and his wife.
Not sure how work will go but have been enjoying calling the new guy in texts, “Agent C” while he does the same to me in his replies. Having fun so far. . . Busy lives and so far, only 3 dates in 104 days of contact. 🙂

I love your imaginative take on this photograph, Diana. Full of suspense in even just a short piece. Wonderful atmospheric writing! Where do you get the names you use here and in your books? They are always terrific! Hope you’re having a great weekend. 😀

The old internet, Annika – baby names! Ha ha. Even for a short piece like this, the names take me a while to pick out. I really do think names evoke character. Have a wonderful weekend yourself, Annika. I’m curious. How is your book coming? Let me know when you are ready for a beta reader 🙂

Diana, thank you so much for asking about my book and offering to be a beta reader. Wow! That makes me smile. To be honest with my father-in-law’s illness, passing and all the worry and travel over the past few months, as well as another serious family crises I have not made as much progress on the edit as I wished. With things looking up I am hoping with my renewed energy and back to ‘normal’ life to start working on it in September after the holidays and hopefully have it finished latest December! There, now you have me bound to a date! Scary but exciting!

These little short ones are easy for me, Barbara. I don’t have to think through all the threads and layers of a book. The problem is that I can get really distracted doing these! Thanks so much for the visit and sweet comment 🙂

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